ABSTRACT
Considering the need of alternative views of the complex universe of transvestites, this study aims to describe and analyze the interpretative repertoires of friendship used by them. The participants were ten transvestites who live in the southeast of Brazil. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted and field notes were taken. The data analysis was based on discourse analysis as proposed by social constructionism. Five repertoires of friendship were identified: Babado, Batalha, Family, Secret and Uó. The use of repertoires, through different arrangements, shows how transvestites tell about themselves, either emphasizing their potentials or legitimizing meanings of marginality and stigma. These meanings create the possibility of existence between them and may encourage interventions and policies targeted to this population.
Keywords:
transvestites; friendship; sexuality; social constructionism